var uslide_show_id = “D18826E1-A9E5-46CC-A243-5C5582BEF94F”; var slideshowwidth = “468”; var linktext = “On the road again”;
When No. 11 LSU travels to Nashville, Tenn., for a Saturday night showdown against Vanderbilt, it will be the first time since 1993 the Tigers play three of their first four games on the road. The game will be televised on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Before losing 17-15 to Middle Tennessee State at home Saturday, the Commodores started the season with some history of their own, going 4-0 (2-0 SEC) for the first time since 1984.
“I think they got caught up and excited about us coming to town and being an ESPN game, and playing them up there in their stadium,” senior defensive tackle Kyle Williams said. “Things happen but they’ll be ready. They’ll probably be even more fired up after dropping one they know they shouldn’t have.”
MTSU, who entered the game 0-3, blocked Vanderbilt’s 36-yard field goal attempt as time expired for the win.
“Obviously we face a tremendous challenge in coming off a disappointing loss and now having to play one of the most talented teams that we’ve seen in a while,” Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said in a news release. “But we’re still excited for our contest against LSU. We’ve got a lot of work to do, a lot of ‘confidence rebuilding,’ and we’ll try to get out there and make our team a little bit better and see if we can make some plays that will allow us to win games.”
Vanderbilt’s wins were against Wake Forest, Arkansas, Mississippi and I-AA Richmond. The four have a combined record of 5-12.
“I think we’re concerned about our season, concerned about our team, and we know Vanderbilt is capable,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “They lined up to kick the field goal in the last play of the game to win it. We know that we’re going to go there and need to play well.”
The last time Vanderbilt defeated a ranked opponent was 1992. The Commodores have not beaten a team ranked No. 11 or better since 1974.
Vanderbilt is led by senior quarterback Jay Cutler, who will be starting the 40th game of his career Saturday.
“I think he’s a veteran guy who’s been in their offense for a good, long time,” Miles said. “He understands what to do with the ball and has a quick release. Everybody expects what’s happening there. He’s doing a great job functioning their offense.”
Cutler was named Preseason First-Team All-SEC by league coaches, and leads the SEC in total offense and passing yards per game this season at 331.4 and 275.2, respectively. He also averages 36.2 rushing yards per game.
“It’s going to be different [than the other quarterbacks LSU has faced],” senior strongside linebacker Kenneth Hollis said. “Not only do we have to stop the run and the pass, we have to stop the option too. He’s a great runner in between the lines. Everybody has to come in and stick to their right keys and stop the quarterback.”
After recording only one sack and allowing 461 passing yards to Arizona State, the Tigers’ defense has allowed 211.5 passing yards per game with 11 sacks their last two outings.
“I just think it’s the idea that we’re coming after them a little more regularly,” Miles said. “We’re putting more pressure on them, and the guys up front expect themselves to get to the quarterback and understand how important that is for a team.”
The Tigers’ defense has held their first three opponents under 100 yards rushing with an average of 2.6 per carry and enters the game ranked No. 9 in the nation, allowing 75 yards per game.
Vanderbilt has rushed for 164.8 yards per game with sophomore tailbacks Jeff Jennings and Cassen Jackson-Garrison sharing the carries.
“I think Vandy is going to come out and try to run the ball a little more [compared to Arizona State’s offense],” senior middle linebacker Cameron Vaughn said. “Then they’ll use their run. They’ll run, run, run and then they’ll pass. They’ll try to lull us to sleep. They’ll pass and try to get a deep shot here and there. [Cutler] will make some smart plays downfield and we’ll just have to try to cover.”
LSU has rushed for 156 yards per game with senior tailback Joseph Addai’s 93 rushing yards per game leading the way. Vanderbilt has allowed 148.6 rushing yards per game.
“They’re running game is really top notch,” Johnson said. “[Sophomore] JaMarcus Russell was extremely efficient at quarterback. It’s just hard to be able to control all that with the defense — to be able to stop the run, and play-action pass, and even the drop-back passes.”
Russell completed 21 of 24 passes against Mississippi State with two touchdowns to junior receiver Dwayne Bowe and nine of his completions went to senior receiver Skyler Green.
“Their linebackers are real good,” Green said. “They’re going to fly to the ball. Their defense is pretty fast. They expect their linebackers to make plays. Guys just have to get hats on hats. Once we do that, it’s big plays from there.”
Although Green’s 16.8 yards per punt return is No. 1 in the SEC and No. 11 in the nation, he said he looks forward to getting past the punters who have prevented Green from scoring touchdowns several times this season.
“Coach came up to me and said, ‘that’s a 42-year-old man that just tackled you out there. You let the punter tackle you,'” Green said with a chuckle. “I just have to make [the punter] think about what I’m going to do more, and then make the big play off him.”
 
Notes:
Senior center Rudy Niswanger said he anticipates starting against Vanderbilt after being replaced by redshirt freshman Ryan Miller during the Mississippi State game because of an ankle injury.
Green said he expects junior receiver Craig Davis to play this weekend after missing the game against the Bulldogs with a foot injury.
Miles said senior weakside linebacker E.J. Kuale will miss his fourth consecutive game with an ankle injury.
Contact Clinton Duckworth at [email protected]